Inside S Eymour C Ommunity S Chool D Istrict

News

Inside Seymour Community School District BACK TO SCHOOL!

THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 August 2016 Freshman/New Student & Parent/Guardian Looking Toward Open House and Schedule Pick Up For High School Freshmen/new student open house will take place on Monday, August 22, Our Future 2016, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to participate in the open house. Open house will include schedule pick up, locker number and combinations, pictures taken for ID’s, and school tours provided by upper classmen. When you have completed your student led tour, you are invited to a meal provided by the school. Counselors will be available August 23 and 31 for scheduling issues. Please make an appointment when picking up your schedule. Black Creek Elementary/Middle School Open House Black Creek School’s Back to School Open House is on Tuesday, August 30, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. This is a great time to meet your child’s classroom teacher, drop off school supplies, learn about the curriculum, and maybe even see and visit with some of your friends at the TAFFE ice cream social. We are also reminding you to stop by and pay your school fees and locker fees (6th grade only) at some point. The Open House is a great time for this to happen.

Staff and students from Black Rock Ledge Primary & Intermediate Center Creek Elementary/Middle August Student Open House School participated in the Bellin Rock Ledge Schools, both Primary and Intermediate, are inviting all students Run for Kids on June 11, 2016. and their parents to tour the school, meet their teacher, and see their new Students started training for the classroom. This event will take place on Tuesday, August 30, from 3:30 – 5:30 event in early spring with the p.m. Please feel free to bring in your completed forms, fee payments, and help of parents and staff. school supplies to put in your student’s desk for the first day of school! We can’t wait to see all of you back at RLP & RLI! Sixth Grade “Middle School Transition Camp” Sixth grade students are invited to attend the “Middle School Transition Camp” Check our website for current, August 17 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sixth grade students will have the past and future issues of opportunity to meet their teachers, tour the school, and participate in some ex- Inside newsletters. citing activities. Don’t worry if you have not registered for the sixth grade “Introduction to Middle School” session you still have time to call and do so, S e y m o u r call 920-833-7199 x302! Community School On August 17, all 6th grade parents are invited to attend an open D i s t r i c t house. A general parent only session will be held in the gym at 4:00 pm. Op- tional parent/student breakout sessions will be held from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. This 10 Circle Drive will be an opportunity to meet the teachers, take a tour of the school, pay fees, Seymour, WI 54165 Phone: (920) 833-2304 and get any questions you may have answered. Parents will be able to re- Fax: (920) 833-6037 ceive fund raiser information as well as shop at our Thunderzone kiosk! www.seymour.k12.wi.us

Milk Break Program WHEN CALLING THE SCHOOL . Any family qualifying for free or reduced lunch with chil- Please Refer To The Following Numbers dren in grades K-5, can receive free milk for milk break. This program is subsidized by the State of Wisconsin. Aquatic Center …………...…………………………833-9704 Children K-5 qualifying for regular lunch may purchase Seymour Community High School ………………..833-2306 milk at a cost of $0.30 per day, $12.50 per quarter or Seymour Middle School ………………..…………..833-7199 $47.00 per year. Rock Ledge Intermediate School ……….………...833-7380 Rock Ledge Primary School ………….…………...833-5155 Free And Reduced Price Lunch Black Creek Elementary/Middle School …………..984-3396 Application Alternative School …………………….…………….833-7642 Pupil Services…………..…………………………...833-5159 Applications for Free and Reduced priced lunches are Fallen Timbers………..……………………………..984-3700 printed for your use in the newsletter. Extra copies are Administrative Office………………………………...833-2304 available in each of the principals’ offices and may be www.seymour.k12.wi.us obtained any time during regular office hours. It is very important to complete the application completely and promptly to insure efficient processing and approval for the program. You may also get the instructions and ap- School Fees plication at our website at www.seymour.k12.wi.us and click on DISTRICT, then Food Service Program. For Grades K-5 $10.00 further information or if you have any questions regarding this application please call 833-2306 Ext. 426. Grades 6-12 $14.00 It’s Against The Law Physical Education Locks $5.00

Music Rentals $36.00 Checks returned to Seymour Community School District for nonpayment are subject to a service charge of Art/Industrial Arts $10.00/semester $30.00. An attempt will be made to contact the check Student Activity Card (9-12) $10.00 writer; however, if there is no response after 21 days, Single Student Athletic Ticket $2.00 the matter will be turned over to Financial Crime Ser- vices (FCS). Outagamie County has contracted FCS to Adult Athletic Ticket $4.00 conduct all investigations. Adult Seasonal Athletic Pass $20.00 e-Funds Users Family Athletic Pass $40.00 (Admits Adults and Students grade 8 and Parents, please be aware of your child’s meal account under accompanied by parents.) balance. Students’ meal accounts are not allowed to go into the negative. To help stay informed, you can choose to be notified by email whenever your child’s meal account gets low. Go to your child’s PowerSchool account and click on “Email SCHOOL LUNCH & BREAKFAST PRICES Notification”. Choose “Balance Alert”, choose “Daily”, FOR 2016-2017 and add your email address. You will receive a Balance Alert once your child’s meal account gets low. BREAKFAST LUNCH Grades 4K-5 $1.15 $2.35 Back To High School Grades 6-12 $1.25 $2.45 The High School operates on a seven-period day with a Reduced Meal Price .30 .40 27 minute required extended learning time at the end of the day. Classes are in session from 8:00 a.m. until Adult $1.80 $3.10 3:00 p.m. High school students have forty eight-minute Extra Milk/Juice Per Carton .30 class periods with three minutes passing time between *K-5 Milk Break/Year $47.00 classes. Noon meals are taken during one of the two half-hour lunch periods. *K-5 Milk Break/Quarter $12.50 The School District has a closed campus, which means that students are not allowed to leave the school grounds without a parent or guardian permission.

Teachers may be contacted by phone or email. Email Senior Parent Information Night contacts can be found on our website at www.seymour.k12.wi.us. If you phone and they are not Seymour Community High School will be holding a available, you may leave a message on voice mail and “Senior Parent Information Night” on September 19 at they will return your call. 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium. School counselors will be sharing pertinent information regarding the 4 High School Absence Reporting year and technical college process. A representative Procedure from Oneida Higher Education will be on hand to answer individual questions as well. All seniors and their Parents/Guardians are to call the high school office to parents are encouraged to attend! report student’s absences or to request early dismissal. For the safety of students, 10:00 a.m. courtesy calls will be made to the parent/guardian of students who are marked absent without a previous parent On That First Day phone call. Working together, parents and school per- All high school students are to report to their 1st hour sonnel will know where the student is during school class upon arrival at school on Thursday, September 1, hours. Remember to call the high school office at 833- 2016 at 8:00 a.m. Student planners and ID’s will be dis- 2306 ext. 429 to report a student’s absence or to re- tributed during 1st hour. Senior release will not begin quest early dismissal. Parents/guardians may call until Friday, September 2. Students with on the job and Seymour High School office 24 hours a day and leave senior release should report to the LMC during that re- a message at extension 429. lease time. School fees can be paid during study hall Parents are encouraged to schedule medical appoint- the first two days of school. After September 2, school ments after 3:00 p.m. When that isn’t possible, it is in fees can be paid before or after school in the main of- your child’s best interest to schedule medical appoint- fice. ments during study hall. Proof of appointment timeline from medical provider may be requested. It is recommended to give as much advance notification as possi- Thunder Talks ble of appointments to ensure the student will receive Seymour Community School their pass allowing them to leave the building. Calling District provides every student at the last minute may delay the student from receiving the opportunity to meet three notice and permission to leave the building and caus- times throughout their school ing you to wait unnecessarily. High school class peri- career with their parents and ods are as follows: school counselor, separate Period 1 8:00 a.m. to 8:48 a.m. from parent teacher conferences, in an effort to empow- er the student in their educational process and future Period 2 8:51 a.m. to 9:39 a.m. plans. These student-directed conferences, known as Period 3 9:42 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thunder Talks, are scheduled for Grade 5, 8, and 10 students. Period 4 10:33 a.m. to 11:21 a.m. Parent involvement in Thunder Talk is integral to the Period 5 11:24 a.m. to 11:54 a.m. Lunch A Mod development of a student’s personal and social growth, 11:57 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Class A Mod their educational and career development, and future transitioning. We hope all parents will take this oppor- 11:24 a.m. to 12:12 p.m. Class B Mod tunity to enhance the communication between them- 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Lunch B Mod selves, their child, and their child’s school counselor.

Period 6 12:48 p.m. to 1:36 p.m. Thunder Talk conference timelines for 2015-2016 Period 7 1:39 p.m. to 2:28 p.m. school year: Grade 8: December-January ELT 2:33 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Grade 10: February-April A reminder – ELT is part of the school day. Students Grade 5: April-May are not allowed to leave during this time for employment purposes. This includes students with gold card Parents will be notified and given the opportunity to privileges. The school day ends at 3:00 p.m. schedule their Thunder Talks. Please contact your students' School Counselor with any questions you may have about this process.

School Counseling Program the pupil is registered to attend a post-secondary course. Individual and small group sessions are part of the Re- 4. Students must provide his/her own transportation sponsive Services component of our School Board ap- and maintain a minimum course load at Seymour proved (and DPI mandated as per Standard ‘e’) Com- High School. prehensive School Counseling Program, and as such, 5. Districts are not required to pay or grant credit for a can be made available as need arises for students in post secondary course if the district offers a com- our district. Therefore, if you should wish for your child parable course with an approximately 80% match to refrain from participation in individual or group ses- in course content. sions with the counselor, please indicate your desire 6. If a student receives a failing grade or fails to via letter, voice mail, or e-mail to his/her school counse- complete (drop) a course for which the lor. Otherwise, it will be assumed that your child may school district has made payment through take advantage of the full scope of our Comprehensive the Youth Options program, the school board School Counseling Program as it has been designed will require reimbursement for all costs relat- and as requests or referrals are made on his/her be- ed to the course. Reimbursement will be re- half. quired from the student if she/he is an adult or from the student’s parent or guardian.

ACT Test Date at SCSD The school, by May 15, for the fall semester and De- The ACT test will be administered at Seymour Commu- cember 15 for the spring semester, will notify the pupil if nity High School on Saturday October 22, 2016. Stu- the post secondary course selected will be awarded dents wishing to take the test in Seymour must register high school credit and how much credit will be award- by September 16, 2016. All Juniors will take the ACT ed. If you have any questions regarding the Youth Op- test on February 28, 2017 and the ACT Work Keys test tions program, please contact the student services of- on March 1, 2017. The March testing will be at no cost fice at 833-2306 ext. 430. to the student. Seymour Middle School 7th/8th Grade Athletic Eligibility Meetings Open House All athletes must have a physical or alternate card on Seventh and eighth grade students and their parents file before they practice. Athletes need the physical are invited to attend the Seymour Middle School Open card every other year. Medical release forms and stu- House on Monday, August 29 from 3:45 – 5:30 dent conduct forms must also be filled out. All partici- p.m. During the Open House students will be able to pants and a parent/guardian must attend one Athletic meet some of their teachers, find their lockers, get Eligibility meeting. A link to athletic forms can be found fundraiser information, and pay school fees. on the high school web page. For any students planning to participate in extracurricular sports, an information meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the gymnasium. Please remember that Youth Options you need a physical or alternate card on file or with you Junior and senior students can take a maximum of 18 in order to practice. Sports forms can be found on the credits of post-secondary classes for high school credit Seymour Middle School webpage. and university/technical college credit while attending high school by enrolling in the Youth Options program. Black Creek Elementary/Middle School A pupil who intends to enroll in an Institution of Higher Back to School Information Education (IHE) must adhere to the following timelines: Lunch and Brain Boost Breakfast

1. Immediately contact the IHE from which admission is Remember to take advantage of our wonderful food being sought to determine the application and service program. This year all students K – 8th grade admission process required by the IHE. will have the opportunity to eat both lunch and break- 2. By March 1, for the fall semester and by October 1 fast. Stop by the office or call in to see if your family can for the spring semester, notify the school board benefit from the district’s free and reduced lunch meal of the intention to attend IHE under the Youth programs. Option program. Notification must include specific information. Safety 3. As soon as possible, notify the school whether the Remember to always use the crosswalks. It is very diffi- pupil has been admitted to the IHE and whether 4

cult for drivers to see, especially when all the buses are to change their normal way home. Thank you for your parked in the front. Please read all the signage at the cooperation in making RLI a great place for students to entrance and on the streets around the rear rounda- learn! bout, as there are some new security measures in place for this up and coming school year. Attendance 4 Year Old Kindergarten Good attendance is crucial to good learning. Please make sure that your child is at school on time every day The 4K programing will be back to a.m. and p.m. ses- possible. Every day that is missed is another oppor- sions for this school year. tunity that can never fully be made up. Discussion, opportunity and learning happen every day at RLI! We  The AM session will be 8:00 to 11:00. are excited that your child can be a part of that every day!  The PM session will be 12:00 to 3:00. 4K families will be able to set up an account in the of- Rock Ledge Student Drop Off & Pick Up fice to purchase milks during snack time if families so ARRIVAL PROCEDURE: School starts at 8:00. Stu- choose. dents may be dropped off as early as 7:45.

 Stop by the office or call in to see if your family can Parent Drop Off and Walkers: Students should arrive no earlier than 7:45 at the front of the Rock Ledge benefit from the district’s free and reduced lunch Primary Center. There are two lanes in the front of meal programs. the school. Parents should use the right lane to First Day for 2016-2017 pick up/drop off their child and immediately enter/ exit into the left lane. Please have your child exit the The First day of school is September 1, 2016. All stu- vehicle on the sidewalk side to avoid going into traf- dents should be here by 8:00. Brain Boost breakfast fic. The left lane is for travel only, not to stop and will once again take place from 8:00 – 8:30. If you need pick up or drop off. If parents need to enter the copies of the school supply list, they are located at the building, they should park in the lot in front of the school’s front desk, at most stores, and on the district school. Please walk your child across the lot to the website. front sidewalk for safety. 4 year old Kindergarten: School starts at 12:00 for This year dismissal for all students will be 3:00. The 4K the 4K pm session at Rock Ledge Primary Cen- -p.m. students can be picked-up at 2:55 to assist them ter. Students should arrive at Door # 1 (Rock in their transition. Once again, all students walking Ledge Primary Center entrance) no earlier than home; riding a bike home; or being pick-up by family 11:50. Supervision will remain outside until stu- will exit the back of the building. The bus riding students are brought in to school at 11:55. dents will leave from the front. Kindergarten and 1st Graders: proceed to the Pri- mary playground. Second-Fifth Graders: should be dropped off at Rock Ledge Intermediate Absence the NE corner (past Intermediate entrance door Reporting Procedure #4) and proceed to the Intermediate playground using the sidewalk.) Students who are absent from Rock Ledge Intermedi- ate will need to be called in to the school office before Bus: Students will be dropped off at the end of 9:00 a.m. in the morning on our absent line, (920)833- Wiedemann Drive (near Aquatic Center.) Kinder- 7380, ext. 251. For the safety of students, if our office garten and first grade students will proceed to the does not receive a phone call, we will make a courtesy Primary playground. Second through 5th graders call to the parent/guardian to verify the student’s ab- will proceed to the Intermediate playground. sence. Please remember to inform our office as to when your child will be absent. DISMISSAL PROCEDURE: Dismissal is at 3:00. Please set up a meeting location outside of school. Office Phone Calls Parent Pick Up: Parents may pull up using the inside Please remember that our students are here to lane to pick up their child and exit immediately with- learn. Disrupting the learning environment affects out leaving the vehicle. If parents need to enter the every student. We ask that you limit calls to deliver school they will need to park in the lot. The inside messages to students in the classroom. Please plan lane is for pick-up and drop-off only. ahead so your child knows what he or she is doing at the end of the day. Students must bring a note to The students will be dismissed out the following doors: school and come to the office first thing in the morning 4K & Kindergarten will be dismissed out the Pri- 5

mary playground door (Door #17) and can be o e-Funds for Schools will help to eliminate last picked up near the playground sidewalk. minute check writing hassles, improve efficien- cies, and help cut costs for both you and the 1st and 2nd Grade will be dismissed out the Primary school district entrance (Door #1). o On-line payments will help eliminate the worry

rd th that your children could lose or forget the mon- 3 -5 Grade will be dismissed out the Intermediate ey intended for school items or that it might be entrances (Doors #2, #3, and #4). spent on other non-school related items. Bus: Students will load the busses on the Intermediate o Payments from a credit card or checking account playground. may easily be set up. o Parents/guardians may establish a reoccurring On-Line Payment System Available payment or may opt to make a one-time payment. The Seymour Community School District is pleased to include a program called e-Funds for Schools. This o The program offers various types of payment to program offers various options for parents/guardians families that include but are not limited to in- who choose to make payments on-line and is extreme- structional materials, registration fees, and food ly user friendly. You can still make payments by cash service payments. The system may be expand- or check as you have in the past, but now not only will ed to include other fees as well. you have the ability to have various school fees and o Your payment history for the year is available with lunch payments electronically withdrawn from your a click of the mouse along with any past dues. checking account or charged to your credit card, you also have the flexibility to make a payment at any time through the school's website. The e-Funds for Transportation Information Schools service is offered to you by a third party ser- We have included the 2016-2017 bus rules, regulations vice provider and they charge for processing your pay- and disciplinary guidelines which govern all buses, in ment(s), similar to other on-line banking services. The this newsletter. In order to make sure that all students district does not request or keep records of family and parents are familiar with the rules and procedures checking or credit card account information. we ask that you review them with your children.

The "e~Funds For Schools" electronic payment ser- These rules and procedures also appear in the student vice is provided to the school by a third party service handbook at each school. We need to stress the im- provider. The service provider has a nominal fee for portance of prompt and open communication between their service. There is a $1.00 transaction conven- the parent, bus company and school officials to foster ience fee for each electronic checking payment that good morale among the students and to insure the you make. The system carries a Non-Sufficient Funds highest level of safety is provided to all students. (NSF) charge if the payment is “bad”. For payments made by credit or debit card, there is a transaction We also need to encourage students, parents, bus convenience fee of $2.45/$100.00. When you set up drivers and school officials to establish clear and posi- your account, please review your options carefully. tive disciplinary routines on the first day of school. You are in full control of your account and can make a This will help maintain a positive disciplinary climate payment at any time that is convenient for you. No for the balance of the school year. We look forward to payments will be allowed without your knowledge the new school year and welcome all students to par- and authorization through this secure payment ticipate in our transportation program. We will make system. By providing your home and/or work email every effort to insure that your child receives a safe address, an email notification informing you of the stu- and pleasant bus ride each day. Please contact John dent’s name, purpose of the payment, and the amount Kasha at 833-2304 or your building principal if you of the item will be sent to you each time that a payment have any questions or concerns. is to be processed. The e-Funds for School site is secure and uses industry standard data encryption. The Bus Transportation Updates/Changes link can be found at http://www.seymour.k12.wi.us/, on the DISTRICT page. for 2016/2017 How does e-Funds for Schools work? If your child/children have a bus transportation change for the next school year, please contact Lisa in the o Families set up and maintain their own login, transportation office at 833-2304 or go to our website password, and payment preferences. Your ac- to submit a change form as soon as possible. Exam- count information is retained in a password- ples of changes that could affect your child/children is if protected file. there is a change in your childcare situation; your fami- 6 ly has moved to a different address; your child no long-

er requires transportation because your child will be A Note From Our Superintendent driving their own vehicle or getting a ride to school. It is important that our bus routes be as accurate as On September 1, 2016, Seymour Community School possible in case of an emergency or accident. District will have approximately 2,320 students (pre- kindergarten through high school) return to our schools All eligible children will be assigned to a bus route. for the start of a new school year. There is excitement Bus drivers cannot transport your child/children unless in our entire school community, but some of the most they are assigned to their bus route. excited children and families are represented by our During the regular school year, a 48 hour notice must kindergarteners just beginning their K-12 educational be given to the transportation office before any bus journey or our high school seniors already looking route addition or change can go into effect. ahead to their futures.

Either bus route changes or additions can be done on- It’s not just an exciting time for our students and par- line by going to the school website and clicking ents; it’s also an exciting time for our 450 employees. “Transportation” under the DISTRICT drop down.. The summer months have been a busy time for us as school staff and district office personnel prepare for the NEW for 2016-2017 new school year. Our school buildings are scrubbed clean and floors are waxed to a shine. Minor building The bus rider will not be allowed to use the last two renovations are nearly complete across the district. seats in the rear of the bus unless the bus New teachers, instructional aides and support staff are is at capacity. hired. Many of our teachers participated in professional development this summer, learning innovative strate- gies for enhancing their classroom environments.

Beginning this year we will have a secure vestibule and “buzz in” system for office access in each of our schools. We will continue to have a full time police re-

source officer on our campus during school days. Our entire campus has wireless network/internet access so students that bring their own devices will have safe and secure internet access. Please visit our schools. If you do, I thank you in advance for using the visitor check-in system we have at all schools. With the new school year getting underway, we invite parents to learn more about our schools by visiting the district website, www.seymour.k12.wi.us, or your child’s school website found on the district website.

Everyone in our school family is looking forward to an Books on the Bus! exciting year with enthusiasm and optimism. The Board Books on the Bus is a new initiative that was started in of Education joins me in extending best wishes to all our district during the 2015-16 school year. This pro- students, parents and employees for a productive gram was modeled after a similar program begun by school year filled with many opportunities for our chil- the Southern Door School District. Two of our buses dren. Working together, we will ensure a remarkably were outfitted with vinyl seat pouches, much like those successful school year. Please enjoy the last few days you would see on an airplane, and filled with books of summer. We embrace the new school year and we that students could read as they traveled to and from look forward to working alongside our children, our fam- school. Books were purchased through allocated dis- ilies and our community. trict funds, a small grant and through donations. Each month, new books were placed on the buses to keep Peter Ross students excited and engaged. Not only did students Superintendent of Seymour Community School District improve their reading skills, but the behavior on the buses also improved. Our students’ learning begins when they board the bus and continues until they are dropped off at the close of each day. The program has proven to be highly successful and will be expand- ed during the coming school year. Books on the Bus is a definite “win” for both students and drivers alike! 7

Outdoor High School Yearbook Pursuits Class Seymour High School Yearbooks are available for A one half credit elec- sale NOW! Yearbooks can be purchased in the follow- tive Outdoor Pursuits ing ways. (Be sure to specify Seymour, WISCONSIN.) class just returned from a week canoeing  online via jostensyearbooks.com (quick and easy!) and hiking in the  over the phone, call 1-877-767-5217 Boundary Waters of  through the mail (watch for order forms sent direct- northern Minnesota. This is the seventh year of the trip led by Mr. Reuter ly from Jostens in the fall) and Ms. Sievert. To earn credit, students must com- Buy early and save! The registration sale price is plete the wilderness adventure including portaging as $40.00 but only for the first two weeks in September. far as a mile at a time, cooking, filtering water, setting up camp, reading a book about the wilderness area, Please contact the high school office via email and completing map and journal work which help stu- ([email protected]) with any questions. dents figure out how to plan and execute a similar trip on their own. Outdoor education promotes students’ physical, mental and social health as well as creating citizens who are aware of their community and care for their surroundings. Senior Pictures Senior pictures must be submitted for the Seymour High School yearbook by November 10, 2016. The photographer will usually take care of this, however you will need to make sure your appointment is scheduled early enough for pictures to be submitted before the deadline. Scheduling your senior portrait sitting before school starts in the fall is generally recommended— check with your photographer. Photo requirements are available on the yearbook website: http://www.seymour.k12.wi.us/high/ shs_yearbook.cfm. Be sure to share these requirements with your photographer prior to your session! Please contact the high school office, ([email protected]) with any questions.

Yearbook Grad Ads All seniors appear in the yearbook free of charge. How- ever, some families also choose to purchase a grad ad honoring their senior and wishing him or her well. This is a much anticipated section of the yearbook and also helps us keep book prices among the lowest in our area! Many grad ads include a baby picture or more re- cent photo along with a personalized message. Purchase and create your own grad ad with easy-to-use templates or upload your own design directly through the Jostens website. Ads cost $25 for a business card size (1/8 page) or $45 for a 1/4 page size. More information will be provided in the fall—watch your email and the yearbook website for detailed instructions and deadlines. http://www.seymour.k12.wi.us/high/ shs_yearbook.cfm Please contact the high school office, ([email protected]) with any questions.

Yearbook Photo App Summer School Class at SMS

Elizabeth makes a spaghetti tower in Science.

You could be a yearbook photographer! Anyone in the community can take pictures at high school events/activities and upload them directly to the yearbook staff via replayit.com. Be sure to specify Seymour, WISCONSIN. The ReplayIt mobile app is also available to conveniently upload pictures

directly from your Apple or Android device.

Child Development Days The Seymour Community School District provides evaluations and special services to those students identified as disabled in accordance with the state and federal guidelines. Each child between birth to 21 years of age is entitled to screening for, and evaluation of, suspected disabling conditions. These services are at no cost to the parents or student identified.

Child Development Days, a screening for children with special needs between three and five years of age, is held in October and April of each school year. If you have a child who will be at least 3 years, 3 months old by October 1, 2016, (or by April 1, 2017) you and your child will be invited to participate in Seymour Commu- nity Schools Child Development Days. If you choose to participate in this event, your child will be involved in a small play group while you have the opportunity to meet other parents and talk with school personnel about normal growth and development. You can expect to spend about 40 minutes at school. Be- fore you leave, a member of the screening staff will review her/his observations of your child’s development In Technology class Tyler built a computer. with you as well as answer any questions you might have. There will also be opportunities for children to participate at specific daycare location(s) as well. Please call the school psychologist, if you need more information (833-7199, ext. 310).

Seymour School District Website Check the Seymour Community School District website at www.seymour.k12.wi.us for up-to-date school information. Staff lists are available as well as school supply lists, student activities and athletic information, photos from class events, and many other posts by individual classroom teachers and athletic and activities coaches. Also on our website you will find school calendars, lunch and breakfast menus and Student and Family Seymour Middle School summer school Handbooks. Co2 drag racers.

School supply lists for all grades at all schools are available on our website at http://www.seymour.k12.wi.us/. Use Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Internet Explorer Browsers. 10

Black Creek Summer School Highlights

JUMPSTART TO 5K We did many fun things in Kindergarten this summer. We had a week full of fun Nursery Rhyme activities, next we had a week full of Beach/Ocean themed activities, and lastly we had a week of Camping themed activities. Some of the really fun activities/projects were: the painting and making of spiders, making a huge Humpty Dumpty, making our own Rainbow fish along with a special scale, and making a fun paper plate frog and fishing- lake scene in the camping unit. ART Using Pinterest for art ideas, students worked with a variety of materials to create projects. Some favorites Included patchwork elephants and egg carton turtles. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPUTERS/IMOVIE Middle School students enjoyed collaborating together in games such as Roblox and Animal Jam. Some students also created mazes and worked with Spheros enhancing their coding skills. STORY HOUR We focused on two themes throughout summer school: Camping and Beach, Sun, Fun! Students enjoyed a book or video clip, a physical activity related to the theme, and an art project. Our favorite projects this year were the sun catchers, jellyfish, and campsite scene. The students loved learning survival tips for camping, and playing strategy word games to learn vocabulary. DRAMA Our Middle School students performed a 9 act play for the summer schools students called “Mystery Is land”. These 5-8 grade students built a set with 7 different backgrounds, created props, and designed stage directions. The second half of summer school, students created puppet shows to go along with cur rent pop songs. ENGINEERING Our 3rd and 4th graders did construction projects out of household items like tape, straws, cardboard tubes, etc. FUN WITH SCIENCE Our elementary students did a nature hunt, mad slime and bouncy balls with Borax, and discovered inter esting properties of liquids, like oil and water, glue and Borax, soap and water. 11

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR BUS RIDERS

SEYMOUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Please keep in mind that riding the school bus is a privilege, and that this privilege can be taken away if your child is not willing to follow the regulations necessary to insure the safety and comfort of all passengers. Video camera monitors may be used on any bus to document student behavior problems and may be used to assist the school administrators in determining the proper disciplinary action. THE BUS RIDER:

1. shall conform to the same standards of conduct that are expected of them at school. 2. is expected to obey the driver the same as other school staff and be respectful of other students. 3. or his/her parent or guardian shall be financially responsible for damage done to the seats or other bus equipment. 4. shall remain in assigned seat and not engage in horseplay on or around the bus. 5. shall not put any part of their body out of a window. 6. shall be absolutely quiet when approaching a railroad crossing stop. 7. shall not throw anything in the bus or out the window.

BUS SAFETY PROCEDURES: 1. The bus rider is expected to be on time at the designated bus stop. The bus cannot wait for students. 2. The bus rider should wait at the end of their driveway until the bus comes to a complete stop. 3. If the bus rider crosses the road, he/she shall do so in front of the bus after making sure that the highway is clear, and after receiving a signal from the bus driver. The student shall stay at least ten (10) feet in front of the bus while crossing the road. 4. The bus rider is expected to get on and off the bus at their regular stop unless a parent or guardian sends a written request to the building principal. 5. When stepping off the bus, students are to proceed directly to their driveway. Do not go to the mailbox, paper box, etc. 6. Unnecessary distractions may cause confusion and divert the driver’s attention which may result in a serious accident.

DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES:

If a violation of the above rules occurs, the driver will fill out a conduct report and return it to the building principal within 24 hours of the offense. The report will state the date of the offense, student name, offense committed and the driver’s signature and route number.

The following disciplinary actions will be taken by the school administration, depending on the nature of the report.

1. The school official will inform the parent or guardian of the offense and discuss possible disciplinary measures to cor- rect the situation or, 2. The school official could recommend that the Board of Education expel the student from bus service for the remain- der of the school year.

IN CONCLUSION:

Parents or guardians and students are to be aware that in any of the preceding actions, they have the right to due process. Drivers may refuse to transport a student only if an immediate report of the circumstances is made to the school principal on the next trip to the school. No students shall be put off the bus except at the school or at his/her home. The driver may not put a student off the bus unless authorized by the building principal or school official.

The bus driver or school official has the authority to assign riders to designated seats.

Public Notices Student Records Seymour Community School District designate as directory data a student’s name, parents’ name, address, tele- phone listing, date of birth and photographs. Directory data shall be considered public information and may be re- leased to appropriate persons and media unless parents or adult students refuse the release, in writing, of their own initiation. Refusal of such release must be made no later than two weeks after the opening of school or of enrolling in the case of those entering after the school year has started. Concerns regarding the school records should be taken up with the appropriate building principal or may be filed with the Family Policy and Regulations Office of the U.S. Department of Education.

Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements Grantees Other Than Individuals This certification is required by the regulations implementing the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.34 CFR Part 85, Subpart F. The regulations, published in the January 31, 1989, Federal Register, require certification by grantees, prior to award, that they will maintain a drug-free workplace. The certification set out below is material representation of fact upon which reliance will be placed when the agency determines to award the grant. False certification or violation of the certification shall be grounds for suspension of payments, suspension or termination of grants, or government-wide suspension or debasement (see 34 CFR Part 85, Sections 85.615 and 85.620). The grantee certifies that it will provide a drug-free workplace by: (a) Publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the grantee’s workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violation of such prohibition: b) Establishing a drug-free awareness program to inform employees about: 1. The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace. 2. The grantee’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace. 3. Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs; and 4. The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace: (c) Making it a requirement that each employee to be engaged in the performance of the grant be given a copy of the statement required by paragraph (a): (d) Notifying the employee in the statement required by paragraph (a) that, as a condition of employment under the grant, the employee will: 1. Abide by the terms of the statement; and 2. Notify the employer of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five days after such conviction. (e) Notifying the agency within ten days after receiving notice under subparagraph (d)(2) from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction: (f) Taking one of the following actions, within 30 days of receiving notice under subparagraph (d)(2), with respect to any employee who is so convicted: 1. Taking appropriate personal action against such an employee, up to and including termination; or 2. Requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a Federal, State, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency: (g) Making a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f). Seymour Community School District #59-WI-89-1502.

Screening And Evaluation Of Possible Special Needs Students The Seymour Community School District provides evaluations and special services to those students identified as handicapped in accordance with the state and federal guidelines. Each child between birth to 21 years of age is entitled to screening for, and evaluation of, suspected handicapping conditions. These services are at no cost to the parents or student identified. Child Development Days, a screening for special needs children between three to five years of age, is held in October and April of each school year. In addition screening of other students will be done at parental request. Requests can be made by contacting the building principal or by contacting Amy Wachewicz, Direc- tor of Pupil Services, 833-7199 ext. 308. Notification Of Non-Discrimination Policy The Seymour Community School District prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination against students and other persons in all aspects of the District’s programs and operations. Accordingly, consistent with section 118.13 of the state statutes, no person shall unlawfully be denied admission to any public school in this District, or be denied participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, pupil service, recreational or other program or activity because of the person's sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. The District likewise requires and enforces nondiscrimination in a manner consistent with the rights and obligations established under all applicable federal civil rights laws, including the current provisions of Titles IV and VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, religion, sex, or national origin), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (disability), the Americans with Disabilities Act (including Title II of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in state and local government services), and the civil rights provisions associated with the District’s participation in federal meal programs. Children of homeless individuals and unaccompanied homeless youth (youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) as identified under federal law shall have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including comparable services, as provided to other children and youth who reside in the District. Homeless children and youth shall not be required to attend a separate school or program for homeless children and shall not be stig- matized by school personnel. The District shall provide legally-required accommodations and appropriate educational services or programs for students who have been identified as having a disability, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. The District shall also provide for the reasonable accommodation of a student's sincerely held religious beliefs with regard to ex- aminations and other academic requirements. Requests for religious accommodations shall be made in writing and approved by the building principal. All District career and technical education opportunities are offered to students on a nondiscriminatory basis. Addi- tional information regarding such program offerings and the applicable admission/participation criteria can be obtained on the District’s website or by contacting any school’s guidance office. When acceptable to the complaining party, the District encourages informal resolution of discrimination complaints and related concerns. However, a formal complaint resolution procedure is available to address allegations of unlawful discrimination and/or any alleged violation of the District’s equal educational opportunities policies. Any questions concerning this notice, the District’s nondiscrimination and equal educational opportunities policies, policy compliance, or the District’s complaint procedures may be directed to the District’s equal educational opportunities compliance office. Pupil Services Director Seymour Community School District 10 Circle Drive, Seymour, WI 54165 920-833-2304 or 920-833-5159 Discrimination-related complaints may be filed with the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer also serves as the District’s Title IX Coordinator (sex discrimination and sexual harassment issues and complaints) and Section 504 and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator (disability rights and disability-based discrimination issues) for all student and all non-employment related matters. By following all required procedures and timelines, complaints of unlawful student discrimination may also be filed externally with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Chicago office of the U.S. Department of Edu- tion’s Office for Civil Rights, or, in appropriate circumstances, with any state or federal court or other agency of com- petent jurisdiction. 22

Equal Education Opportunities The Seymour Community School District is committed and dedicated to the task of providing the best education possible for every child in the district for as long as the student can benefit from attendance and the student’s conduct is compatible with the welfare of the entire student body. The right of the student to be admitted to school and to participate fully in curricular, extracurricular, student services, recreational or other programs or activities shall not be abridged or impaired because of a student’s sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Complaints regarding the interpretation or application of this policy shall be referred to the Seymour Community School District Administrator and processed in accordance with established procedures. Notice of this policy and its accompanying complaint procedures shall be published at the beginning of each school year and posted in each school building in the district. In addition, a student nondiscrimination statement shall be included on student and staff handbooks, course selection handbooks and other published materials distributed to the public describing school activities and opportunities. Complaint Procedures A person may submit a complaint and attempt to resolve his/her complaint by using (1) the District’s informal complaint resolution option; and/or (2) the District’s formal complaint procedure, as further defined in this rule, whenever the person believes that: 1. The District has inadequately complied with section 118.13 of the state statutes and the statute’s implementing regulations, or with the current federal laws and/or regulations under Titles IV and VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act (including Title II of the ADA, nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in state and local government services); 2. A student has in some other way been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, parental or marital status, sexual orientation, physical, learning, mental or emotional disability, or other legally-protected status; 3. That there has been a violation (including violations by other students) of any of the Board’s student nondiscrimination, anti-harassment/anti-bullying, or other equal educational opportunities policies; or 4. Another Board policy or rule directs or allows the use of these complaint procedures. In special circumstances, such as certain complaints involving the District’s application of the Individuals with Disabil- ities Education Act, the District may re-route the complaint to a more legally-appropriate venue or procedure. The following individual serves as the District’s Equal Educational Opportunities Compliance Officer (“Compliance Officer”) in connection with these complaint procedures: Pupil Services Director Seymour Community School District 10 Circle Drive, Seymour, WI 54165 920-833-2304 or 920-833-5159

The Business Manager or District Administrator shall perform the duties of the Compliance Officer if the Compliance Officer is temporarily unavailable or if a complaint involves any alleged improper conduct by the Compliance Officer. Any person presenting a report or complaint under these procedures who has concerns about safety, confidentiality, or retaliation should discuss those concerns with the Compliance Officer as early as possible in the process ― pref- erably at or even prior to the time that the detailed report or complaint is made. In conjunction with the District’s receipt of notice of any report or complaint of alleged discrimination, harassment, bullying, or retaliation under these procedures, the District shall consider (and the complainant may affirmatively request consideration of) any interim measures that should be taken before the final outcome of an investigation (e.g., safety planning or other steps needed to protect the complainant and ensure equal access to the District’s education programs and activities).

INFORMAL RESOLUTION OF A COMPLAINT OR CONCERN The District strongly encourages, but does not require, the informal resolution of complaints and concerns regarding the implementation and monitoring of the laws, regulations, and local policies that facilitate the provision of equal educational opportunities and that prohibit discrimination. To pursue the informal resolution of a complaint or concern, a person may contact either the appropriate building principal or the District’s Equal Opportunities Compliance Officer at the office location identified above. The person should expressly indicate that they would like to explore informal means of resolving a complaint or concern involving the District’s equal educational opportunities policy or another District nondiscrimination policy. Informal methods for attempting to resolve a complaint or concern may include the scheduling of meetings among relevant parties; meetings or communications mediated by an administrator or other individual selected by the Dis- trict who was not directly involved in the issue; or, following a presentation and initial assessment of the issue(s), the offering of one or more options for changes to be made in the relevant circumstances. If, at any time, the person seeking an informal resolution becomes dissatisfied with the process or outcome, he/she may initiate a formal complaint according to the steps listed below. In the event the building principal addresses or resolves an informal complaint that the principal determines involves an alleged violation of the state or federal student nondiscrimination law, the principal shall provide the Compliance Officer with a written version of the nature of the complaint and a summary of any responsive action taken on the informal complaint.

FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCEDURES Step 1: A written statement of the complaint shall be prepared by the complainant, signed and presented to the Compliance Officer, who shall acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 10 business/school days. The Compliance Officer or a designee shall further investigate the complaint and, in a manner consistent with applicable student records laws, issue a written determination to the complainant and any other appropriate parties indicating the extent to which the complaint was or was not substantiated and including such other information as may be appropriate under the circumstances. The District will attempt to provide the administrative determination of the complaint within 60 calendar days of the date that the complaint was filed.

Step 2: Any actual party in interest to the complaint who disagrees with the administration’s decision in the matter may, within 10 calendar days of being notified of the administration’s determination, file a written request for reconsideration with the office of the District Administrator. The request for reconsideration shall state any specific reason(s) why the complainant believes the administrative determination should be modified. The District Administrator will issue a written decision on reconsideration no later than 90 calendar days after the date that the complaint was originally filed, unless all relevant parties have agreed to an extension of the time. The decision of the District Administrator shall include information about the complainant’s opportunity to appeal a negative determination to the School Board and/or to the State Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion.

Step 3: Optional Appeal to the School Board. If any actual party in interest to the complaint (including any alleged victim/target or any alleged responsible party) disagrees with an adverse determination of the complaint that has been issued by the District Administrator upon reconsideration, the person may either (1) treat the Dis- trict Administrator’s decision as the District’s final decision and consider an appeal under Step 4; or (2) submit an appeal to the Board prior to considering an appeal under Step 4.

Any appeal to the Board shall be filed in care of the School Board Clerk at the Office of the District Adminis- trator within 10 calendar days of receipt of the District Administrator’s decision, and the request shall state the reasons the decision is being appealed. The Board will provide a written response to the appeal, which may or may not involve a meeting with any of the relevant parties and/or any further investigation. The decision of the Board shall include a notice to the complainant of his/her right to appeal the determination to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Step 4: The complaining party may appeal any negative final decision of the District (the decision either at Step 2 or Step 3) to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Using the procedures identified in Chapter PI 1 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, such appeals must be filed in writing within 30 calendar days of the District’s final decision and sent to the Department of Public Instruction, Equal Educational Opportunity Office – Pupil Nondiscrimination, P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707.

DEADLINE FOR FILING AN INITIAL COMPLAINT There is no absolute deadline for the initial filing of a complaint under these procedures. The District always has an interest in being made aware of potential concerns with prohibited discrimination, harassment, bullying or retaliation. However, a person with a complaint or concern involving such a matter is encouraged to notify the District of the issue or to pursue the complaint as soon as reasonably possible after the occurrence of the relevant events. Any gap in pursuing a complaint or concern can affect the extent to which it is practical to investigate the matter, and a delay may also limit the range of possible remedies and resolutions that are reasonably available. Notwithstanding the lack of a single, fixed deadline, the District, acting through the District Administrator or a designee, may determine that any complaint filed more than 300 days after the alleged act(s) oc- curred, or more than 300 days after the last occurrence of an ongoing condition, will not be processed through these procedures for lack of timeliness (although the District may follow-up on the issues presented through other means if appropriate). A decision to dismiss a complaint because it is untimely may be appealed to the Board under Step 3, and the Board may either affirm the dismissal of the complaint for lack of a timely filing or remand the complaint for further processing.

SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR In the event that a complaint to be filed under these procedures concerns the actions of or decisions made directly by the District Administrator, the complainant may file the complaint in writing at the District’s main administrative office, directed to the attention of the Board President, who shall work with District legal counsel in order to process the complaint. Seymour Community School District NOTICE OF STUDENT ACADEMIC STANDARDS THAT ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR State law requires the District to provide the parents and guardians of all enrolled students with notice of the academic standards in mathematics, science, reading and writing (i.e., English Language Arts), geog- raphy, and history that have been adopted by the School Board and that will be in effect during each school year. The District academic standards that will be in effect for this school year in these content areas are listed below. Electronic links to a complete statement of the applicable standards are provided, if available. The District has adopted the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards in the following content areas: Social studies, using the 4th, 8th, and 12th grade bands established by the standards. See http:// cal.dpi.wi.gov/cal_ss-standards Science, using content and performance standards for the 4th, 8th, and 12th grade bands, additionally sup- plemented by the NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS™*. See http://dpi.wi.gov/science/ standards and http://www.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-science-standards Additional subjects, other than Math and English Language Arts. See http://dpi.wi.gov/standards for the list of various other subjects and content areas.

The District has adopted the Wisconsin State Standards in the following content areas: English Language Arts (K-12). See http://dpi.wi.gov/ela Mathematics (K-12). See http://dpi.wi.gov/math To the extent a parent or guardian would like to review a copy of any of the District’s adopted academic standards in an alternative format or has any questions about the District’s student academic standards or this notice, please contact the Director of Curriculum.

* NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS is a registered trademark of Achieve.

Inside is published for residents of the

Seymour Community School District SEYMOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL RECOGNIZED AS BOARD OF EDUCATION A PBIS SCHOOL OF MERIT! Tom Smet, President Laurie Bowers, Vice President Seymour Middle School was selected by the Wisconsin RtI Center as a School of Merit for Melissa Heins, Clerk their work accomplished through the implementation of Jill Karweick, Treasury Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Paula Rohm, Trustee for the 2015-16 school year. Greg Leisgang, Trustee PBIS is a system-wide proactive framework that ena- bles schools to be more effective and responsible to Kurt Peterson, Trustee student social-emotional needs by implementing a multi -level system of support for behavior. Schools were SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS recognized as Schools of Merit based on an application Pete Ross process that included team meeting information, implementation and outcome data, and a narrative that de- Inside Editor scribed the data systems, and practices of PBIS Imple- Daneen Hansen mentation. Layout & Design Congratulations on a job well done for the staff and stu- Betty Schmit dents of Seymour Middle School. As a School of Merit, Seymour Middle will receive a banner and recognition Seymour Community School District provides equal op- at the annual PBIS Leadership Conference this August. portunity regardless of sex, race, color, age, handicap, or national origin.